How a professional soccer player preps up for a successful and lengthy career goes beyond the ordinary technical training session a team hosts daily, because it resides in the player’s obligation to commit to it.

It’s the individual’s commitment to a series of factors that influences the development of a complete player. First, the regular training session on the pitch, and second, the work done before and after at the personal level; with the latter including before training any conditioning, strength or rehab exercises, as explained by Strength & Conditioning Coach Armando Camacho, and upon the end of training, any routine built for each specific individual based on treatment or specific workouts.

This daily process, which could last as long as five hours, must be complemented by a balanced nutrition as well as the needed rest and any additional workout done in the afternoon. And it is the player’s responsibility to follow the coaching staff’s advice, so these daily efforts can turn into the difference in the development of a world-class player.

“On the field they are all professionals, but it’s off it where they make the difference,” Coach Camacho explained to cdchivasusa.com. “It’s what they do before and after each training session, and it is there where we need to influence them so the player himself believes in what he must do for his career and for how long he wants it to last, either it is five to six years, or 10 to 15 years, it’s all up to them.”

It’s this care, commitment and dedication that have brought success to world-known elite players such as Francisco Palencia and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. As of today, the Rebaño Angelino finds those same features in team captain Dan Kennedy and recently-signed Erick Torres, among other members mentioned by the coach.

“They are players who have committed themselves to follow that regimen and it’s because of it that their careers will be longer. There are players who can keep playing up until they’re 38 or 39 years old, if they take care of themselves. Obviously their physical qualities lessen with the years but if they take care of themselves and become a professional player all around, their career will turn into a very fruitful one for the rest of their lives,” described Camacho.

But where or when is it that this commitment begins? It resides in the sporting education and the training of human development throughout the player’s career what makes them turn into complete professionals.

“The assistance from a technical staff in full along with trainers, nutritionists, psychologists and doctors is what complements the player’s actions in their integral development as a person. It’s what helps them develop their minds and the importance in life of knowing that if they do not turn into great soccer players, they will become great persons,” concluded Camacho.